against anyone who has reported, investigated, filed a complaint under Title IX

Notice of Student Nondiscrimination/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Davis Joint Unified School District is committed to making the schools free from unlawful discrimination and providing equal opportunities for all individuals in education. The District prohibits discriminatory practices whose purpose or effect has a negative impact on the student’s academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. The District promotes programs that ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district activities. Any student who engages in discrimination of another student or anyone from the district may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

Any employee who permits or engages in discrimination may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. A student or parent/guardian who believes that discrimination has occurred may contact the principal for immediate resolution at the site. A student or parent/guardian is not required to attempt resolution through the school site before contacting the District Title IX Coordinator.

Filing a Report or Informal Complaint of Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying Based on Sex

The District believes discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying issues may be resolved at the school site. As such, students, parents, or guardians may report any act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying based on sex (in any area covered by Title IX, including sexual harassment) by a student, staff member or third party directly to the school site's principal for immediate resolution at the school site. Within three (3) days of receiving the complaint, the school administrator may informally discuss with the complainant the possibility of using mediation. If the complainant agrees to mediation, the administrator shall make all arrangements for this process. Before initiating the mediation of a discrimination complaint, the administrator shall ensure that all parties agree to make the mediator a party to related confidential information. If the mediation process does not resolve the problem within the parameters of law, or if the complainant does not want mediation, the administrator shall proceed with his/her investigation of the complaint.

Investigation of Reports or Informal Complaints: The responsible school official will conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the complaint which will include, but is not limited to, interviewing the accuser and the accused, asking each to provide names of witnesses, interviewing potential witnesses, and gathering relevant evidence. When sex-based discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying is reported, interim steps will be taken to stop harassment and protect the accuser from further harassment pending outcome of the investigation and/or complaint. A thorough investigation is required to protect the accuser, afford due process to the accused, and to ensure resolution of the issue(s). A student, or parent or guardian, is not required to attempt resolution through the school site before contacting the District Title IX Coordinator.

At any time during the process students, parents, or guardians, may contact the Title IX Coordinator to report or file an informal complaint directly with the district at:

Filing a Formal or Uniform Complaint

Pursuant to Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1312.3, at any time during the site resolution process students, parents, or guardians may file a Uniform Complaint. Completing the Uniform Complaint Form [English] [Spanish] is not required to file a complaint, however the complaint must be in writing and state that it is a formal complaint or a Uniform Complaint. Uniform Complaint Forms can also be obtained from the school, the District Office, or the district website Complaint page.

The Uniform Complaint may be mailed to or filed at:

Student Support Services

Davis Joint Unified School District

526 B Street

Davis, CA 95616

Statute of Limitations - Uniform complaints alleging discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying based on sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) must be filed no later than six months from the date the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged sexual harassment. The six-month period may be extended for good cause, not to exceed an additional 90 days.

Investigation of Uniform Complaints - The district will undertake an effective, thorough, and objective investigation of the allegations and provide a written report within 30 days of the date receipt of the Uniform Complaint. The report will include a summary of the facts, a decision on the complaint, reason for the decision and corrective actions (if applicable) that have or will be taken, including remedies for the victim. The complainant has the right to present witnesses and evidence.

Action - If the district determines that its policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying based on sex have been violated, disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion (for students) or dismissal (for employees) will be taken. Remedial actions which are designed to end the harassment, prevent its recurrence and address its effects on the harassed student, will be provided to the victim. Remedial action(s) will also be required of the school site.

Retaliation - The district prohibits retaliation against any participant in the complaint process including witnesses. A separate Uniform Complaint may be filed if retaliation occurs against any individual involved in the processing of discrimination, harassment, or bullying complaint. Each complaint shall be investigated promptly and in a way that respects the privacy of all parties concerned. Follow up with the student will occur to ensure the harassment has stopped and that there is no retaliation.

District Appeals - If the complainant is dissatisfied with the compliance officer's decision, he/she may, within (5) days, file his/her complaint in writing with the Board. Such a filing shall include the specific facts of the complaint and the reasons that cause the complainant to feel that the administrative response is unsatisfactory. The filing shall also identify what specific district actions would provide an appropriate remedy to the complaint. The Board may consider the matter at its next regular Board meeting or at a special Board meeting convened in order to meet the sixty (60) day time limit within which the complaint must be answered. The Board may decide not to hear the complaint, in which case the compliance officer's decision is final.

California Department of Education (CDE) Appeals - If dissatisfied with the district's decision, the complainant may appeal in writing to the California Department of Education (CDE) within fifteen (15) calendar days of receiving the district's decision. When appealing to the CDE, the complainant must specify the basis for the appeal of the decision and whether the facts are incorrect and/or the law has been misapplied. The appeal must be accompanied by a copy of the locally filed complaint and a copy of the district's decision.

A student or parent/guardian is not required to attempt resolution through the school site before contacting the District Title IX Coordinator and/or filing a formal Uniform Complaint.

Office for Civil Rights

Filing a Formal Complaint Not Involving Discrimination

Pursuant to Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1312.1, any staff member, parent, student, community member or applicant who has a complaint regarding an employee, a district policy, or other condition of the DJUSD may submit a complaint with the school principal or appropriate district administrator. Completing the General Complaint form [English][Spanish]is not required to file a complaint, however the complaint must be in writing and state that it is a formal complaint. Complaint Forms can also be obtained from the school, the District Office, or the district website. For details of the complaint process, see the second page of the complaint form.

Filing a Williams Uniform Complaint

Pursuant to Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1312.4, any staff member, parent, student, community member or applicant who has a complaint concerning deficiencies related to instructional materials, conditions of facilities that are not maintained in a clean or safe manner or in good repair, or teacher vacancy or misassignment may submit a complaint with the Director of Student Support Services. Completing the Williams Act Complaint form [English] [Spanish] is not required to file a complaint, however the complaint must be in writing and state that it is a formal complaint. Williams Complaint Forms can also be obtained from the school, the District Office, or the district website. For details of the complaint process, see the second page of the complaint form.

Filing a Student Nutrition Services Complaint

Any staff member, parent, student, community member or applicant who has a complaint concerning discrimination stemming from the USDA Student Nutrition Lunch Program may submit a complaint with the Director of Student Nutrition Services. Completing the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint form [English][Spanish]is not required to file a complaint, however the complaint must be in writing and state that it is a formal complaint. USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Forms can also be obtained from the school, the District Office, or the district website. For details of the complaint process, see the second page of the complaint form.